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Airport asks drivers to be mindful of temporary roadway changes

The good news: These tweaks have successfully reduced congestion along the outbound George J. Bean Parkway. And they are only temporary.

As part of ongoing construction, beginning last week drivers arriving at Tampa International Airport are no longer able to circle the Main Terminal while waiting for passengers to arrive at the curbside for pickup.

In addition, drivers leaving Short Term and Long Term parking are being redirected around the Main Terminal to exit the Airport.

The changes will be in place at least through early spring 2016.

The Airport asks that guests picking up passengers should instead wait in the Airport’s Cell Phone Waiting Lot and proceed to the curbside only when travelers are ready to leave. Visitors can also wait in the Short Term Parking Garage, where parking for under one hour is free.

The changes are meant to reduce overall congestion due to ongoing construction and growing passenger volume.

The Airport’s outbound roadway was reduced from three to two lanes in June while crews work on the guideway for a new automated people mover.

Meanwhile, the Airport is coming off a strong year of passenger growth, serving roughly 18.5 million passengers – an increase of 6.7 percent – during Fiscal Year 2015. That strong growth is expected to continue this year.

In October, passenger traffic was up eight percent over the same period in 2014. The Thanksgiving holiday, which runs from Nov. 21 to Nov. 30, is projected to also be up about eight percent.